…concerted attempts to establish the mortality associated with COVID-19 by comparing countries differing mortality rates. If this is not possible for a given country, it can be estimated by calculating the “excess mortality” within a population over the period in question. From what I can see on-line, we are likely to find that the mortality associated with the disease is between 2% and 4%. This pursuit of such figures is not an academic exercise…. Continue reading →

…lows on-line advice of a bread-making expert to the letter. The process is complex, time consuming, oath-making and demands technique. It yields passable bread. I question whether it’s worth the effort. Wishing to explore a more relaxed approach with my starter, Donald, I have let him off the leash somewhat. He has been gorging on quantities of flour and is fizzing away like there’s no tomorrow. He now stinks of rotten fruit – as he should – and i… Continue reading →

…picion and held his breath. He’d fallen for the thermometer trick; further complicity was out of the question. The mother returned carrying a tray with cups of tea, a candle and matches. My father asked me to light the candle. “Now, old boy, would you be so kind as to hold the candle three feet from this young man’s nose.” Turning to the boy, he said “Go on, now, blow out the candle!” The boy took a big breath in and blew. The candle was still ali… Continue reading →